[Capital letters were not always used at the beginning of sentences. All occurrences in the transcription are not typos. Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]South Deerfield Nov 20 1839
Brother Dennis
I received yours of the 2d on the 14 and thought I would answer it forthwith[.] But I never was more engaged in all my life then at the present I live in Wi[...] L Freenys [?] house, am at work to get my own fixed to live in this winter[.] I moved it in Oct I then have all my falls woork [sic] of harvesting corn and potatoes &c to Do, my store to Draw my Cellar to Dig and store underpining store to Did Draw and plan &c &c and I have not yet gotten my chimney built though I have been ready for my Mason three weeks and I can get no one yet though I have had a good prommis [sic] of one in a few days for six weeks, and he has gotten his pay in past for doing it but he had taken some jobs which hold out longer than he expected, yet I have found no leisure time my team to do all this consists of one hors only, I never did work so hard as I have this season though I am not able to endure fatigue and hardship as formerly I think I shall never recover my health, as it was before my sickness, my family are generly [sic] well and it is a general [?] time of health in this place though fever has raged in many places around us, and in some places many have Died[.]
You asked me to write so you could get it by thanksgiving, but it will not reach you as that comes on the 28 Day &c you ask where Hollis is I can only say that I wrote [?] him last Spring when Sedgwick was sick to Monticello requesting it forwarded to him but I received an answer from him hat he had been to Vans [?] Valley but had returned to Monticello on account of the health of his partner, and I suppose that he is still there.
You ask me to state to you my feelings with regard to Amelia I am not able to tell you what she will be, nor am I so much acquainted with her as I would be, but I think she is a very [?] smart active girl and is respected by those of her age, I should think what would be called Bright, though rather inclined to be what they used to call me when young (Lazy) and not so much attached to her Books as I could wish though a tolerable good schollar [sic], on the whole I should think not below mediocrity. I think if she has advantages she may be much respected by community at large, you ask me if I paid her tuition, I say no. I expected to Do so but then Mother got into one of her high tantrum times [?] with the teacher and took her out of school before the term [?] closed and paid her tuition, and, I have never said anything to him about it, I expected she would call for the money but, I suppose she had done contrary to my feelings and would not call I therefore thought best not to offer it.
I know not that we shall have any school but our District schools this winter it is such times for many that people dare not do anything, I do not think there ever was such a time before, propperty [sic] of every Description has fallen, Beef has been up to 10 & 11 Doll per [...] it is now from 5 to 6 - Pork has been from 11 to 12 1/2 - it is now from 6 to 7 Hogs (live) have been from 8 to 10 cts and now from 4 to 5 corn & rye have been from 125 to 150, it is now from 90 to 100 Cattle which sold in the summer for 150 Dolls for pair will not bring more than $100.00 now the common price of cans [?] last spring was 50 Dolls and some as high as 75 Dolls now they are from 20 to 35 &c &c and it is hard to get money at these prices, but we have had good crops and shall be able to live tolerable [?] well if we cannot get money, trade is [...] and I feel glad that I am not in trade, though I may sometime think it best to ingage [sic] in it again though not at present I think I shall work the soil one year more certain, you ask where my lot is, it is on the south side of Capt Freenys [?] lot west of the road.
I am glad to hear that Fosters [?] is in a fair way to get his money, I wrote him on the receipt of yours
the Elections in this town are Democratic though [...]ly there is no claim of Gov by the people nor Representation to Congress in this District
[Signed by Eli Cooley above the address on the cover]
Recd Dec 9 1839
Repd July 17 1840